MGM specialised label United Artists and Helkon International Pictures (HIP) have teamed up to co-finance and distribute Igby Goes Down, a comedy being produced by Atlantic Streamline and Apollo Media which started principal photography on Wednesday. It stars Susan Sarandon, Claire Danes, Ryan Philippe, Amanda Peet, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pulllman, Jared Harris and Kieran Culkin.

Written and directed by Burr Steers, the film is produced by Atlantic Streamline's Marco Weber and Lisa Tornell. It stars Culkin as a sarcastic teenager struggling with a pill-popping mother (Sarandon) and a favoured older brother (Philippe). He ultimately goes on the run to New York where he falls for a dropout (Danes).

MGM and HIP had previously teamed last year to co-finance and handle worldwide distribution of Rollerball, the summer actioner starring Chris Klein, LL Cool J and Jean Reno and directed by John McTiernan.

Atlantic Streamline was represented in the deal by UTA and John Diemer of Bloom, Hergott, Diemer & Cook LLP. Danny Rosett negotiated the deal on behalf of MGM and Lee Solomon negotiated the deal on behalf of HIP. The project was brought to Helkon by Helen Beadleston, Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions for HIP.